FAQ

General Program Overview

Q: How many upgrades do I need to do to get my incentive?

A: You must install at least two (2) of the recommended upgrades in order to qualify for an incentive.

Q: I live in a condo – can I participate?

A: The program is not currently open to homeowners residing in a multi-residential building. The program is open to participants who own their own home and the home is a detached, semi-detached, or row townhouse.

Q: Do the recommended upgrades need to be done by a contractor?

A: It is at the homeowner's discretion how they choose to install the upgrades. Upgrades such as air sealing can be done by the homeowner – but upgrades such as furnace or boiler replacement needs to be installed by a licensed HVAC Contractor.

Energy Audit/Assessment

A: The energy assessment process usually takes about 1.5 – 2 hours for the pre-assessment, and roughly an hour for the post-assessment.

Q: Is there a cost to having the home energy assessment?

A: Yes, there is a fee that the homeowner is required to pay at the time of both energy assessments. However, upon completion of the program, Enbridge Gas will provide a reimbursement of up to $550 to partially or fully cover the cost of the energy assessments. A select number of Registered Service Organizations are qualified to complete energy audits for the Home Efficiency Rebate. As part of your first energy assessment, you will receive an EnerGuide rating and fully energy report of your home. After your final energy assessment, a newEnerGuide label with your final energy rating will sent to you (illustrating the improvement in your home). Each Service Organization provides the same customer experience, and each Energy Advisor is certified to deliver energy assessments under Natural Resources Canada. Please note that the cost of the home energy assessments may vary amongst the Service Organizations.

Q: What should I expect at my pre-assessment appointment?

A: The Registered Energy Advisor will conduct a basement-to-attic assessment of your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems and other energy use. A blower door test will be conducted to see if your home has air leakage, which can cause wasted energy, uncomfortable drafts and poor air quality. Your home will be given an energy rating using the Natural Resources Canada home evaluation – the higher the rating the better. You’ll then receive a report outlining recommendations for improvements (called retrofits) to help reduce your energy bills and increase home comfort.

A: As part of the Home Efficiency Rebate, homeowners are required to use an Enbridge approved Registered Service Organization of their choice to conduct the pre and post assessments. The same Service Organization should perform both the pre and post assessment. The Registered Energy Advisor can help you to:

Prioritize your upgrades to get the maximum incentive available

Help you understand the payback period for the upgrades being considered

Reduce air leaks and identify why your house is cold in the winter and hot in the summer

Understand your home’s envelope and determine if additional “controlled” air flow is required

Determine if energy upgrades were installed as per recommendations

Incentive Payment

Q: How long does it take to receive my incentive cheque?

A: Upon receiving your final home energy assessment information, Enbridge will facilitate payment within 6-8 weeks. For natural gas customers, the Home Efficiency rebate is initially posted on your bill as a credit and the rebate cheque is then issued the following business day after your billing cycle/date. If you have noticed the credit on your bill, your payment will be in the form of a cheque within 1-2 business days.

Privacy

Q: Will any of my personal information be shared when I participate in the Program?

A: Any and all personal information you provide through registering online at enbridgesmartsavings.com or through the initial energy assessment will be kept confidential between Enbridge Gas Inc., the Service Organization performing the energy assessment and Brickworks Communications. The personal information that we collect from you is always limited to the purposes that we have identified to you. Participants contact information may also be shared to facilitate follow-up surveys, to conduct studies, assessments, evaluations or other verifications related to the Program, and for other purposes as permitted by privacy laws.

NOTE:
To qualify for the Home Efficiency Rebate (HER):
i) The homeowner agrees he/she will not participate in any other gas or building envelope program (s) offered by parties outside of Enbridge Gas Inc., between the Initial Assessment and the Final Assessment and
ii) The homeowner confirms he/she has not applied for, nor will apply in the future for, rebates/incentives from other energy efficiency/conservation programs (including GreenON) for the same qualifying energy efficiency improvements for which the homeowner is eligible to receive incentives through the Home Efficiency Rebate.